Teacher's/Reader's Guide created by Mona Voelkel, NBCT
©2022ReneeBolla and JessBircham
May 13, 2022
BOOK GUIDE with Literacy Links
FINDING BUNNY
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Author: Renee Bolla Illustrator: Jess Bircham Publisher: Renee Bolla, 2022 Ages: 2-5 Themes: Rabbits, Friendship, Social-Emotional Learning
Synopsis:
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Elle has lost her beloved stuffed animal, Bunny, and can't find her ANYWHERE! She tried to make do with a bunny that looks like Bunny but doesn't feel the same or snuggle the way her Bunny felt and snuggled. Dress-up, tea party, and going to sleep is not the same without her Bunny. Will there be a happy ending for Elle and her Bunny?
"Ella loved Bunny. Bunny was her best friend. They did everything together." From FINDING BUNNY
What I Love About
FINDING BUNNY:
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
All ages will relate to that moment when you realize something you love has gone missing! This heartwarming story of a girl and her beloved stuffed animal comes to life with engaging details and charming illustrations. Elle (and the reader) goes on an emotional journey with a satisfying ending.
Activities Resources:
FINDING BUNNY:
Before Reading: Share the cover illustration and title. Ask children what they "See/Think/Wonder."
Discuss favorite belongings and/or strategies for dealing with lost items. During Reading: Have children make predictions about what has happened to Bunny and how Elle is feeling. Author Website: https://www.reneebollaauthor.com Illustrator YouTube Tutorials:
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
https://www.youtube.com/c/JessBircham/featured
Activities Resources:
FINDING BUNNY: Movement: Hide and Seek Games Art/Writing: ©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Using the cover as a mentor text, invite children to bring in their own favorite stuffed animal and draw a picture of them together and/or take a photograph. Add a title or caption. Have children dictate a story about the stuffed animal. Compile illustrations and dictations into a class book. Can you find something that repeats on every page spread?
Activities Resources:
FINDING BUNNY: Writing:
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Author Renee Bolla's daughter and connection to her "Bunny" inspired this story. One of her goals as an author is to write a story for each of her three children. Writing Prompt: Pick someone from your life and write a story inspired by something that matters to them.
Activities/Resources:
FINDING BUNNY: Vocabulary: lost ©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
found Discuss meaning and use the words in sentences. Have students act out the emotions associated with each word.
Have students draw pictures of items they've lost and found and put in the appropriate bag.
Word Quest:
snuggle
Meaning: settle into a warm, comfortable position.
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Relatives: Old Danish snøg "neat" snuggle, snuggles, snuggled, snuggling Built? <snuggle> is a base word*; related to <snug>.
snuggle "settle" *<-le> is not consistent as a prefix.
s ed ing
Pronunciation? < s n u gg le > / s n ʌ g. əl /
Activities Reources:
FINDING BUNNY:
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Science/STEM: Make a house for your stuffed animal so it doen't get lost again. Music: Bunny Songs! Using available instruments, have children create music to convey their feelings when something is "lost" and "found."
Activities Reources:
FINDING BUNNY:
©2022Renee Bolla and Jess Bircham
Reflections: I am always looking for new story ideas but this story reminds me that I don't have to look far and wide; perhaps the beginnings of the most meaningful stories are already inside me. I love that the author wrote this story for her daughter! What a wonderful keepsake for her and a a delightful tale for us to enjoy.
Booking now for author visits, literacy events, and professional development offerings for 2022/2023. Free consultation. Let's share the joy of reading together!
mona@monavoelkel.com
Book Guide with Literacy Links, 2022